When Aoife was born medics gave her a week to live... now, thanks to a transplant, she's just like any other 13-year-old. And if radical plans to change the organ donor system get the go-ahead, many more like her could be saved

By ADRIAN RUTHERFORD; LISA SMYTH

PROPOSALS to radically change organ donation policy in Northern Ireland by introducing a presumed consent system will save lives, it has been claimed.

Health Minister Edwin Poots yesterday unveiled plans to switch to an opt-out model, where organs can be harvested from anyone who hasn't registered an objection.

The move, which would bring Northern Ireland into line with other European countries, is aimed at increasing the number of donated organs.

It follows a high-profile campaign fronted by Joe Brolly, who has pressed for a change in legislation since he donated a kidney to a friend last year.

Yesterday the former Derry GAA star said he was convinced the move would save lives.

"This is going to work and it's going to make a massive difference to people's lives," he said. However, a transplant expert said an opt-out system may not make a tangible difference because the plans would still give bereaved relatives an effective veto over donation.

Lynne Holt, a transplant co-ordinator at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, said almost half of relatives object to organs being removed.

"If there is any change to the system being introduced, but we still plan to take consent from the next-of-kin, I don't see that as being the way forward," she said.

"In the UK, 44% of the next-of-kin sit by the bed of a patient in intensive care and refuse consent for organs to be taken. Changing the paperwork isn't really going to make a difference until we deal with the issue of consent."

The Health Minister outlined the plans at a Press conference at Belfast City Hospital yesterday.

Mr Poots (left) said Prime Minister David Cameron had indicated he had no plans for a UK-wide presumed consent system, so the Executive had decided to push ahead.

The DUP minister revealed how his own family had experience of the organ donor system. "I have personal knowledge of this in that one of my uncles is one of the longest recipients of an organ, having had a kidney transplant over 30 years ago," he said. "My mother might have been alive had she had the opportunity to have a liver transplant when she was younger, but that opportunity didn't come her way.

"So I think there is a great opportunity out there to ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to live a healthy life who otherwise wouldn't."

Mr Poots said 30% of people here are on the organ donor register, but he wants it to be even higher. He plans to launch a public consultation, and if the feedback is positive he will introduce legislation at the Assembly.

Mr Poots praised Mr Brolly for bringing the issue of organ donation into the public spotlight. Mr Brolly donated one of his kidneys to a fellow coach at his local GAA club last year.

The transplant operation on Shane Finnegan ultimately failed, but Mr Brolly has become a vocal campaigner on organ donation.

The All-Ireland winning star, now a leading barrister, said he believed the switch would make a lasting difference.

"This is going to save lives," he said. "Until now this was an invisible tragedy. People didn't appreciate it, they weren't aware of it." He was accompanied by Mr Finnegan, who also paid tribute to the work done by his friend.

Dr Henry Brown, clinical director of nephology and transplant at Belfast City Hospital, said the proposals would make a huge difference.

"There are a large number of people waiting for organ transplants and not everyone has the opportunity to have a live donor transplant," he said.

"Anything that will increase the number of deceased donor organs that are available is good news.

"It will save lives and make the quality of life for people so much better."

factfile e Under current legislation, organs can only be removed if a person carries a donor card or relatives have given permission. e Mr Poots proposes changing the legislation so that consent is presumed unless stated otherwise, however the 'soft' system would still allow families to stop donations taking place.

e Around 200 people are currently awaiting an organ transplant in Northern Ireland.

Originally published by BY ADRIAN RUTHERFORD AND LISA SMYTH.

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